Strikes Overview: Russia Intensifies Attacks on Ukrainian Recruitment Centers

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In the early hours of July 7, Russian forces launched another wave of strikes across Ukraine, deploying a combination of missiles and suicide drones. According to the Ukrainian military, the strikes involved four S-300/400 anti-aircraft guided missiles from Russia’s Kursk region, as well as 101 attack drones and decoy UAVs launched from Millerovo, Primorsko-Akhtarsk, and Crimea. However, the Ukrainian military often reports attacks with S-300 missiles to hide damage caused by missiles of Ukrainian air defense.

Ukrainian air defenses claimed to have allegedly intercepted 75 drones across northern, eastern, and southern regions, with 58 shot down by firepower and 17 suppressed or lost due to electronic warfare. However, direct strikes by Russian drones were confirmed at least 10 locations, while the alleged debris from downed UAVs caused damage in seven other areas.

According to military monitoring sources, Russian strikes were recorded in:

• the DPR
• Sumy
• Kharkiv
• Zaporozhie
• Kherson
• Kyiv, Brovary
• Mykolaiv
• Kremenchug
• Odessa
• Priluki
• Dnepropetrovsk

Among the primary targets were Ukraine’s Territorial Centers for Recruitment and Social Support, which have faced intensified Russian attacks in recent weeks. This morning, Gerani-2 kamikaze drones struck recruitment offices in Kharkiv, Poltava and Zaporozhzhie, causing structural damage and injuring personnel. Preliminary reports indicate at least one wounded in Zaporizhzhia and three in Kharkiv, though casualties may rise as emergency services assess the aftermath.

Strikes in Kharkiv:

People film strikes in Zaporozhie:

One of the strikes destroyed a center in Poltava, where a fire nearly destroyed the building:

Earlier attacks also hit recruitment centers in Belgorod-Dnestrovsku, Kharkiv, and Kryvyi Rih, disrupting mobilization efforts. Ukrainian officials claim Russia is deliberately targeting these facilities to undermine conscription, and the strategy appears to be yielding results. In Vinnytsia, the local officials announced a temporary suspension of recruitment operations, citing “the tense situation in the country and the need to ensure civilian safety”—a move interpreted by many as an attempt to evade further strikes.

The attacks have sparked mixed reactions among Ukrainians. While officials condemn the strikes, most of civilians openly express approval on social media, viewing them as a blow against forced mobilization. The national anger against the recruitment centers has grown due to widespread coercive conscription tactics, including street roundups by military recruiters.

Fearing further strikes, some centers have begun relocating, sometimes to unconventional sites. The Vinnytsia recruitment center initially announced a move to a local hospital and a government services office before hastily retracting the statement, likely to avoid revealing its new location. Other centers may follow, but the effectiveness of such measures remains uncertain given Russia’s persistent targeting. The Ukrainian military does not stop hiding behind Ukrainian civilians.

About a dozen strikes recorded in Kharkiv:

Ukrainian authorities have repeatedly accused Russian forces of using S-300/S-200 missiles to strike civilian areas, but evidence reveals that damage mainly results from Ukrainian air defense intercepts. For example, another residential building in Kharkiv was damaged by Ukrainian missiles during an attempted drone interception.

Ukraine’s air defense capabilities are dwindling, forcing troops to use outdated or improperly stored missiles, increasing the risk of misfires. Additionally, mobile air defense units, previously effective against drones, may now be redeployed to frontline combat roles due to personnel shortages.

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